Obituary of Dalia Knakkergaard

Dalia Knakkergaard, age 91 of Bridgewater, NJ died peacefully in her sleep at the Bridgeway Senior Care Center in Bridgewater on July 15, 2015. Dalia was born in Boonton, NJ on December 29, 1923. She was the daughter of the late Emidio and Candida DiBonaventura. She resided in Bridgewater and the surrounding area since 1976. Dalia, affectionately known as “Dal Baby”, lived a full and absolutely extraordinary life. Her vivacious and dynamic personality assured that she was going to live life to its fullest and she most certainly did. She was a classic individual of the greatest generation, working in factories with other young women to help support their families and survive the aftermath of the Great Depression, to realizing the American Dream of owning a home and having a family. Dalia truly believed in the love of her family and of her culture and those beliefs sustained her throughout her lifetime, no matter what harshness or heartbreak she endured. There are many cherished memories of Dalia cooking for hours creating a meal for her family, then sitting with them and watching them eat and enjoy. Eat! Eat! Mangia! Mangia! In all of her years, she always went forward and her belief in love and family is, without a doubt, from where she gained all of her strength, wisdom and courage. If you wish to honor the kind and loving soul that was Dalia, there are many things you can do. Raise a glass and honor her with a toast at the family dinner table. Watch a Yankees Game and cheer for her beloved team. Or the smallest and most important of gestures, smile as you think of her. That smile of hers that smile of pure joy that she had, that she managed no matter what, even in her final hours. Nothing on this earth made you feel as wonderful as when that smile was aimed in your direction. Something so simple, so pure, so loving, so Dalia. The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, to please make a donation in her name to a worthy charity or cause of your choice. Dalia was predeceased by her first husband in marriage, William Newman, her beloved son, Billy Newman, and her brother, Raymond DiBonaventura, She was also recently predeceased by her second husband, Svend Knakkergaard in February of 2015. Dalia is lovingly remembered by her children and their spouses, Maureen and Bob Hild of Concord, NC; Kathy and Bob Sauer of Manchester, NJ; Robert and Krissie Newman of Bridgewater, NJ; Richard Newman and fiancée Ann Buchan of Whitehouse, NJ. Her dear sister, Sr. Ines Marie DiBonaventura, her brothers, Tony, Eddie and Sabby DiBonaventura. Stepchildren, Paul Knakkergaard of Branchville, NJ; Karen Spread of Chicago, IL and Richard Knakkergaard of New Bern, NC. Her 17 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren also survive Dalia. Services will be private.